The Chinese and Indians 16 it for at least 4,000 years to treat everything from headache to depression.
答案:(D) have been using
現在完成進行式 have been using,配合 for at least 4,000 years(持續時間標記),表示從過去持續到現在的動作;would use(過去未來式,不合)、are using(現在進行式,不符合持續時間標記for...years的用法)、had used(過去完成式,沒有更早的過去參照點)都不合。
have been using 這個組合又長又複雜,很多人直覺挑 had used,因為「四千年」聽起來就是很久很久以前的事,腦中自動把它歸到「過去」那一格。但這一題真正要判斷的不是「有多久以前」,而是「這件事到今天還在不在進行」。
關鍵在 for at least 4,000 years。for + 一段時間,畫的是一條從過去延伸到現在的線,不是過去的一個點。這種時間線要用現在完成式或現在完成進行式;本句強調的是「一直在用、到今天還在用」,所以用現在完成進行式 have been using。還原成兩句驗算:They started using it at least 4,000 years ago. + They are still using it today.(他們至少四千年前就開始用,今天還在用。)把兩句壓成一句,就是 have been using。這條時間線你國中就學過最短的版本:I have lived here for five years.(我住這裡五年了,現在還住著。)同一個判準在 109 年第 16 題也考過一次,那一題的線索是句首的 Over the centuries(幾個世紀以來),一樣是「延伸到今天」的時間線,兩題可以對著看。
had used 是過去完成式,它要求句子裡另外有一個「過去的參照點」,意思是「在過去某件事發生之前就已經用過了」;本文從頭到尾沒有這個更早的時間點,這個時態無處可掛。are using 是現在進行式,只講此刻正在進行的動作,配不上 for 4,000 years 這條長線。would use 是站在過去看未來的過去未來式(114 年第 11 題考的就是這個),意思會變成「他們後來就會用它」,與事實不符——他們早就在用了。
have been V-ing(現在完成進行式,表一直持續在做)、for at least(長達至少……)、treat a headache(治療頭痛)、everything from A to B(從 A 到 B 什麼都有)、be still in use(仍在使用中)、suffer from depression(為憂鬱症所苦)。
What is so special about green tea? The Chinese and Indians 16 it for at least 4,000 years to treat everything from headache to depression. Researchers at recently concluded that a compound in green tea 17 the growth of cancer cells. Green tea is also helpful 18 infection and damaged immune function. The secret power of green tea is its richness in a powerful anti-oxidant.
Green tea and black tea come from the same plant. Their 19 is in the processing. Green tea is dried but not fermented, and this shorter processing gives it a lighter flavor than black tea. It also helps retain the tea's beneficial chemicals. That is 20 green tea is so good for health.
The only reported negative effect of drinking green tea is a possible allergic reaction and insomnia due to the caffeine it contains.